Ironing machine



Dec. 21, 1937. H. c. BOWEN IRoNING MACHINE Filed May 19, 1934 6Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENOR. b265597- C.' 50x/VEN ATTQRNEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENToR.

. Mr/L 1 ATTORNEY Dec. 21, 1937.4 H. c. BOWEN IRONING MACHINE Filed May19,' 1954 Dec. 21 1937. H. C. BOWEN 2,103,141

IRONING MACHINE l Filed May 19, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

ATTORNEY De.21, 1937. H C BOWEN 2,103,141 l l IRONING MACHINE Filed May19, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR. FT Z-Z- e u'. ,@5567 OW-/V -5 1N G50 A TTORNEY De@ 21,1937. H. C. B'OWEN 2,103,141

IRONING MACHINE Filed May 19,l 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEY PatentedDec. 21, 1937 IBONING MACHINE Herbert C. Bowen, Detroit, Mich.,yassignor to Hydraulic Brake Company, Detr it, Mich., a l corporation ofCalifornia Application May 19, 19.34, Serial No. 726,602

13 Claims.

for actuating one of the elements, and pressure,

producing means in the reservoir operatabiy connected tothe otherironing element and actuated thereby upon movement thereof intooperative position to introduce an initial pressure in the system.

VAn object of the invention is to provide an ironing machine includingcooperative ironing elements, one actuated by fluid pressure means'including means for creating an initial pressure in the system to movethe element sov as to compensate for variations in the `thickness ofthematerial or article upon which work isl to be performed. y A

Another objectof the invention is to provide ,an ironingmachinevincluding cooperative ironinggelements anda uid pressure means foractuating one o f the elements including means for creating an initialpressure in the system upon erative ironing elements and a duid pressuresystern..` for actuating one of the elementsincluding. a reseryoir, apistonmovable in the reservoirj for creating an initial pressure in thesylfstexn,v a pressure producing element supplied from the reservoir,and expansibieelements connected tov ther pressure producing element,and ya' 'valve associated with the pressure' producing Lelement for .45relieving vpressure inthe system.

Another feature of theinvention Ais apair lof cooperative ironingelement-sone actuated .byy a iluid pressure system and the Iotherattached to a.

movablesupport arranged to swing "the element 5 into' and `fromoperative position, means for auto'- matically .locking the support uponmoyementoi' the ironing 'elementinto operative position, and .means for.tripping the locking .means operable automatically upon release,ofjpressure in the 55 iluid pressure system..v

- the electrical circuitior the machine.

Other objects and lfeatures of the invention will appear from thefollowing description taken in connection with the drawings forming apart of this specification, and in which, l

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an ironing machine embodying theinvention;

Figure 2 yis a fragmentary view illustrating the actuating means for thehead ofthe machine;

' Figure is a fragmentary view illustrating the linkage between the headand the actuating means i'or the head; v

Figure`4 is an enlarged detail view substantially on line 4-4, Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional view substantially on line .5y-5, Figure l;

Figure 6 is va side elevation substantially on line 6 6, Figure 5;

llrgure '7 is a top plan view' of the buci; sup- DO i Figure 8 is a sideelevation, partlyin section and partly broken away, illustrating theassembly of the viluid pressure means, the buck support, andthe buck;`

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the motors and guidesfor the buck; y f/ 25 Figure 10 is a top plan view 'of the iiuidpressure producing device; Figure 11 is a side elevation of the'iluidpressure producing device partly inv section;

Figure 12 is'a sectional view substantially on line |2'-i2, Figure 11;-

Figure 13 yis a sectional view substantially on line |'3-I3, Figure 10;and movement of the other element into-operative I vlili position.

A feature ofthe invention is a pair-of coop-l FigureV 14 is adiagrammatical illustration of :Referring to they drawings', 'Iiirepresents ,a frame including a. casting having a lsump i2 at one endanclv a hollowY vertical-column at its other'end.A A' sleeve.v I6,bolted or otherwise secured to theirame concentrically to the co1- umnI4, has fitted therein a column I8 providing the main support for'theframe, and secured to the frame are corresponding legs 20 forcooperation with the main support or column i8. It is V to be understoodthat other desirable means for supporting the frame'may be employed'.

A top 22 supported on the frame has an opening for the reception of theucolumn I4, and a frustro-conical portion 24 extendingl upwardly 50immediately abovethe sump I2, andthe frustrconlcal portion has anopening in its top, the object of which will hereinafter' appear. u, Thetop lalsohasthe conventional apron 26 concealingthe trame, l 66 A iluidpressure producing device 28 is suitably mounted in the sump I2. Thisdevice includes a casting comprising a reservoir 38 closed at its top asby a plug`32 having therein a two-way valve 34 controlling vents 36 tothe atmosphere. Formed on the outer Wall of the reservoir adjacent thetop thereof are ange's 38, providing a suitable mounting for a bucksupport to be hereinafter described, and formed in the Wall of thereservoir is a passage 48, the purpose of which,

will hereinafter appear.

A reciprocal piston 42 in the reservoir has a rod 48 extending downwardthrough a bore 48 and a packing box 48 in the outer end of the bore, andattached to the rod is a clevis 58. The piston has a plurality ofopenings 52 providing communicaf tions between the respective ends ofthe reservoir, and positioned on the piston is a collapsible leakproofcup 54 held against displacement by a spring 56 interposed between thecup and the bottom of the reservoir.

Spaced parallel cylinders 58 and 68 are formed in the base of thecasting normal to the reservoir. The cylinder 58 has an inlet port 62communicating with the reservoir; and a discharge port 68 communicatingwith a valve chamber 68 having therein a check valve 68 for control of adischarge port 18. A reciprocal piston 12 in the cylinder 58 has areduced body portion providing in conjunction with the wall of thecylinder an annular chamber 14 communicating by way of the port 62 vwiththe reservoir. The head of the piston has a plurality of ports 16providing'communication between the chamber 14 and that portion of thecylinder forward of the piston, and a concentric extension 18.

A leak-proof cup 88, adapted to seatv on the head of the piston andclose the port 16 during the compression stroke of the piston, has aconcentric opening receiving the extension 18 with substantial clearanceas indicated at 82, so that upon the retracted stroke of the piston uidmay pass from the reservoir to the chamber 14, and thence through theport 16 past the cup 88 to that portion of the cylinder chamber forwardof the piston. The cup is retained against displacement by a perforateddisk 84 held on the extension 18 by a spring 88 interposed between thedisk and the head of the cylinder. This spring also serves to return thepiston to its retracted position. In the backof the piston is a/recess88, and tted in the recess is'a sleeve 88 having a radial flange 82adapted to seat on a ring 94 tted in a circumferential groove in theWall of the cylinder. and a leak-proof cup 88 is clamped between theange and the piston.

A shaft 88 journaled in a bearing |88 on the frame has secured theretoan adjustable operating lever |82 limited in its throw vby adjustablestops |84 and |88, and adjustably attached to the lever |82 is anoperating handle |88. .The shaft has suitably secured thereto across-lever H8, and a thrustv pinl 2 pivoted to` one end of the lever||8 is received by the recess 88 in the back of thev piston, and thelever ||8 has an olf-set bifurcated portionI II4, the purpose of whichwill hereinafter appear.

The cylinder 88 has a diaphragm 6 dividing the cylinder into twocompartments ||8 and |28, and the diaphragm has a port |22 providing acommunication between the compartments. The compartment |28 is closed asby a plug |24 and is provided with a port |28. A leak-proof cup |28seated on the diaphragm within the compartment I 28 has an opening |38of smaller diameter amarsi than the ports |22, and the cup is heldagainst displacement by a spring' |82 interposed between the cup and theplug. y

'I'he compartment I8 has a port |34 providing a communication betweenthe compartment and the reservoir, and the compartment is closed as by aplug |38 having a chamber |38 in its outer end. A valve |48 in thecompartment has astern |42 extending through the plug |36 and thechamber |38. A leak-proof cup |44 is seated on the plug and heid againstdisplacement by a relatively light spring |46 interposed between the cupand a flange on the head of the valve. The head of the valve has areduced concentrical portion |48 adapted to abut the diaphragm H6 and anextension |58 adapted to enter the port |22 and to engage the peripherydefining the opening in the cup |28 so as to completely seal the port|22.

The stem |42 of the valve |48 extends through a cap |52 threaded in theopen end of the chamber |38, and fitted on the stem within the chamberis a collar |54, and a spring |56 sleeved on the stem |42 between thecap |52 and the collar |54 urges the valve |48 to its seat on thediaphragm. The rate of movement of the-valve is dependent upon thetension on the spring |56. This may be regulated by adjusting the cap|52. The stem is further provided with spaced collars, between which ispositioned the bifurcated portion H4 on the lever H8.

A buck support |58 is bolted or otherwise secured to the flange 38 onthe reservoir of the pressure producirm unit 28. This support includesan elongated receptacle having its edges rolled to lend strength andrigidity to the structure. As shown, the bottom of the receptacle isswedged as indicated at |88, and the swedged portion is provided with anopening for the reception of the upper end of the reservoir. Because ofthe swedged portion |68, the receptacle is lowered to substantiallyclose the space between the bottom of the receptacle and thefrustro-conical portion 24 on the top 22.

Corresponding motor cylinders |62 and |84 are suitably mountedin therespective ends of the receptacle or buck support, and formed on theWall of the respective cylinders are oppositely disposed guides |66 and|68. I'he cylinder |82 is connected by a conduit |18 to a tting|12,-'the cylinder |64 is connected by a conduit |14 to the fitting |12,and the fitting |12` is connected by conduits |16 and |18, respectively,to the port |26 in the compartment |28 and thev port 18 of the chamber88.

A uid pressure switch |88 is connected to the iltting |12. This switchis connected in a circuit |82 having a lamp |84 connected therein. Thecircuit |82 is tapped olf of a circuit .|86 having connected therein aheating element |88 and a rheostat |88. The circuit |82 is adaptable sothat iluid upon entering the cylinder will be properly received by thepiston. A leak-proof cup |88 on the head of the piston is retained'against displacement by the extension |84 and an axial port through thepiston is closed by a bleeder screw' |88, and a cap 288 tted on the backof the piston protects the bleeder screw.

A buck. 282 has dependent pins-1284 received by the guides |88 and |88,and pressure blocks portion 2I2 onv the column.

.pression stroke.

The ann has oppositely disposed horns 220 to which is attached a head222 adaptable for cooperation with the buck 202. The arm 2|8 houses theelectrical circuits |82 and |86; the lamp |84 in the circuit |82 ispositioned in the arm centrally between the horns and immediately backof an opening having therein a colored glass insert 224 through whichthe light rays from the lamp may be projected; the heating element |88and the rheostat |80 are encased in the head, and suitably secured tothe arm between the horns is a rod 226 having on its free end a handgrip or knob 228 by means of which the head may be lowered intooperative position.

The arm 2|8 has aninternal web 230 supporting antextension 232 of thearm. The lfree end of this extension projects into the column |4 and hassecured thereto a case-hardened block 234, and formed in the extension232 eccentrically to the pintle. is a notch 238. A lever 238 pivoted onthe frame has on one rend a segment 240 on which the extension 232 ridesas the head is moved into and from operative position, and this end ofthe lever. is adapted to engage the block 234 on the extension whenthehead s moved intol operative position. .Theother end of the lever 238 isarranged to engage a notch in the cross lever ||0, anda rod 242 connectsthe lever to the lever 238 eccentrlcally of its iulcrum, and a spring244 is connected between the lever 238 and the frame. i

' A lever 246 fulcrumed on the frame is connected by a link 248 to theextension 232 of the arm 2|8.V As shown, the link 248 is received bythenotch 236 in thefextenson 232, and the lever 246 is connected by springs250 toa bracket,4 252 .on the sump `i2, and bya spring 254 to one leg vof a bell crank leverA 256fulcrumed on a bracket 258 onv the sump |2andthe other leg of,` the 4 bellcrank lever`256 is connected to the -clevis50 on the rod 44 of the piston 52 in the reservoir 30; Assuming that theiiuid pressure system `is illled with liquid, `that the circuit |86 isconnected to a suitable source of electrical supply, 4and that the head222 of the machine is in elevatedposition, under. these circumstances,the operator places the work upon the buck 202 and lowers the head intooperative position. As the head is lowered into operative position theextension 232 of the arm 2|8 travels on the segment 240, and whenk thehead"'assumes the operative position the lever 238 engages the block 234carried by the arm and effectively locks the head against movement. v

lli'his movement of the head is transmitted through the link 248 to thelever 248 't9 swing this lever on its pivot and this movement of vlever246 is transmitted through spring 254 to bell crank lever 256 and rod 44to the piston 42 in the reservoir to move the piston on its com.-

Upon the initial movement of the piston 42 the cup`64 carried therebycloses the lower end of the passage 40, and upon further movement ofthe'piston the iiuid in the reservoir is displaced through the port 62into the chamber 14, thence through ports 16. past.

cup 80 into the cylinder 58 forward of the pistonl 12, thence throughport 84into chamber 88 past the valve 68'and through conduit |18,coupling |12 and conduits |10 and |14 into the motor cylinders |82 and|84, resulting in actuation of the pistons |92 to raise the buck intoengagement with the head. The distance travelled by the buck during thisoperation isdependent upon the thickness of the work,'and

to compensate for variations in the thickness of the work variation inthe fluid pressure means is obtained by the introduction of the spring254 in the linkage for actuating the fluid pressure means by movement ofthe head into oper ative position. v l l After the above describedoperation, the operator depresses they lever |02 to rock the shaft 98,and this movement of the shaft is transmitted by the arm ||0 on theshaft and thrust` pin ||2 connected thereto to the piston 12 to move thepiston 12 on -its compression stroke. As thepiston 12 moves on itscompression stroke, the fluid in' the cylinder 58 is displaced throughport 64 into valve chamber 66, past the valve 68, thence through port10, conduit |18, coupling |12 and conduits |10 and |14 into the mo'- torcylinders |82 and |64, resulting in actuation of the pistons |82` andmovement thereby of the f buck 202 against the head with sufiicientpressure to effectively iron the work. Upon attaining `the desiredpressure in the system, the fluid pressure switch |80 is actuated toclose the circuit |82 'and light the `lamp m s0- that'the opv erator mayhave a visual indication that adequate pressure is applied.

After completing the above'ldescribe'd opera-V tions the operatormanipulates the leverl |02 to rock the shaft 88, and this movement vof'the' shaft i l is transmitted to the arm |0 carried by the shaft andthe thrust pin ||2 connected to the arm to release the force applied tothe piston 12, whereupon the check valve68 closes and thepiston isreturned to its retracted position under the infiuence of,.spring 86. Asthe piston Vreturns'to `its retracted` position iluid is`drawnv. fromthel reservoir 30, through port 62 into the chamber 14, thencethroughport 16, past the cup 80 into the cylinder 58 forward of the headof the piston to ill the chamber'ffor a subsequent operation.

After relieving' the applied force on the piston the arm I0 trips thevalve |40 and opens' the'port ,i |22,-resulting in relieving pressure inthe motor cylinders |82. and |84, followed by the return of the buck 202to its normal position. Upon opening the port |22, the fluid islreturned from the motor cylinders |62 .and |64 throughthe conduits 4|10and |14 to the coupling y|12 and con- ,duit |16 tothe valve chamber, andthence through port |34 to the reservoin Further movement of the shaftin the same direction is transmitted ,through the Varm I|0 and rod 242to the lever 238 to disengage this lever from the extension 232 on thearm 2|8 and to engage the lever withvthe arml||0 to lock the arm I0against movement so that the fluid pressure system cannot be operated.

Upon disengaging the lever 238 from the extension of arm 2|8, thesprings 250 function to rock the b ell crank lever 246, and thismovement ofthe bell crank lever is transmitted through the link 248 tothe arm 2|8 to swing the head into elevated position. During thismovement tension on'the spring 254 is released. whereuponl the spring 58returns the piston 42 in the reservoir,30 l.

to its normal position. As the piston 42 returns 70 ydnentioned elementto create the initial pressure,

to its normal position the cup Si thereon collapses and iiuid ows fromthe reservoir back of the piston through the ports 52, past the cup Elinto that portion of the reservoir forward of the piston, and when thepiston is fully returned to its normal position the passage 40 is openso as to equalize the pressure of the iiuid in the reservoir.

Although this invention has been described in connection with certainspecific embodiments, the principles involved are susceptible ofnumerous other applications that will readily occur to perysons skilledin the art. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicatedby the scope of the appended claims.

I claimz- 1. -An ironing machine comprising relatively movable ironingelements, a fluid pressure system for actuating one of the elementsincluding means vfor producing pressure in the system, a membersupporting the other element for movement into and from operativeposition, and means connecting the member to the pressure producingmeans for actuating the pressure producing means upon movement of themember to place the last mentioned element into operative position.

2. An ironing machine comprising relatively movable ironing elements, afluid pressure system for actuating one of the elements including meansfor producing an initial pressure in the system and means for producinga greater pressure inthe system, a pivoted member supporting the otherelement for movement into and from operative position, means connectingthe pivoted member to the means for producing an initial pressure foroperation bymovement of the pivoted member to create the initialpressure and manually operated means for actuating the means forproducing the greater pressure in the system.

3. An ironing machine comprising relatively movable ironing elements, afluid pressure system for actuating one of the ironing elementsincluding fluid pressure motors operatively connected to the elementanda fluid pressurek device for delivering fiuid under pressure to themotors, and means for actuating the device by movement of the otherironing element into operative position.

4. An iro ing machine comprising relatively movable ii/drxilingelements, a nuid pressure system for actuating one of the ironingelements inf cluding a fluid pressure device and expansible elementsoperatively connected thereto and to one of the ironing elements,manually operated means for actuating the fluid pressure device,manually operated means for actuating the other ironing element, meansfor alternatively locking the actuating means for the uid pressuredevice and the last mentioned ironing element, andmeans for actuatingthe fluid pressure device by movement of the manually operated ironingelement into operative position.

5; An ironing machine comprising a pair of relatively movable ironingelements, a fluid pressure systeml for actuating one of. the elementsincluding means for producing an initial pressure in the system, meansconnecting the means' for producing the initial pressure to the otherelement for operation by movement of the last- 4and means for operatingthe system to create an ironing pressure between the elements.

6. An ironing machine comprising a head, means (or moving the head intoand from operative position, means for locking the head in operarcaicaative position, a movablebuck cooperating with the head, expansiblemeans for moving the buck to create anironing pressure between the headand the buck, a pressure producing means for supplying fluid underpressure to the expansible means, and means operable by movement of thehead into operative position for actuating the pressure producing meansto create an initial pressure in the expansible means, and manuallyoperated means for actuating the pressure producing means.

.7. An ironing machine comprising a head, a buck for cooperationtherewith, a' movable support for swinging the head into and fromoperative position, means for locking the head in operative position, afluid pressure system for actuating the buck, a reservoir for supplyingfluid to the system, means in the reservoir for creating pressure on thefluid therein, and means connecting the movable support to the means inthe reservoir for creating pressure on the iluid so as to introduce aninitial pressure in the system upon movement of the head into operativeposition.

8. An ironing machine comprising a head, a buck for cooperationtherewith, a movable support for swinging the head into and fromoperative position, means cooperating with the support for locking thehead in operative position, a iluid pressure System for actuating thebuck including a. reservoir for supplying uid to the system, a piston inthe reservoir for imposing pressure on the fluid therein, and linkageconnecting the movable support to the piston for moving the piston onits compression stroke to introduce an initial pressure in the systemupon swinging the head into operative position. y

9. An ironing vmachine comprising a head, a buck for cooperationtherewith, a movable support for swinging the head into and fromoperative position, a fluid pressure system for actuating the buckincluding a pressure producing device, fluid pressure motors connectedto the device and operatively connected -to the buck, actuating meansfor the device, and a lever engaging the movable support and theactuating means for the device operable to alternatively lock thesupport and the actuating means for the device against movement.

10. An ironing machine comprising a head, a buck for cooperationtherewith, a movable support for swinging the head into and fromoperative position, a fluid pressure system for actuating the buckincluding a uid reservoir, a fluid pressure device receiving iluid fromthe reservoir,

-fiuid pressure actuated motors connected to the device and 'operativelyconnected to the buck, means for actuating the device, a piston in thereservoir for imposing pressure on the iiuid therein, linkage connectingthe movable support to the piston for moving the piston on itscompression stroke upon movement of the head into operative position, alever adapted to alternatively engage the movable support and theactuating means for the device for alternatively locking the support andthe actuating means for the device against movement.

l1. An ironing machine comprising a head, a buck for cooperationtherewith, a movable support for moving the lead into and from operativeposition, a fluid pressure system for actuating the buck including areservoir, a pressure-producing device receivingiluid from thereservoir,

nected to the buck, and means for actuating the pressure-producingdevice, a piston in the reservoir for creating pressure on 4the u'ldtherein, linkage connecting the movable support to the piston for movingthe piston on its compression stroke upon movement of the head -intooperative position, a lever adapted to engage the movable support andthe actuating means flor the pressure producing device for alternativelylocking the support and the actuating means for the pressure producingdevice.

12. An ironing machine comprising a head, a buck for cooperationtherewith, means supporting the head for movement into andtrom-operative position, a. iluid pressure system for actuating the buckincluding a reservoir, a pressure producing device supplied therefrom,iiuid operated motors operatively connected to the buck and to thepressure producing device, a piston in the reservoir, means connectingthepistonand thev support for the head for concomitant operation, meansfor actuating lthe pressure producing device, and means foralternatively locking the sup-- porting means for the head and theactuating means for the pressure .producing device.

13. An ironing machine comprising a head, a

`Vsupporting means for vconcomitant movement, means for actuating thepressure producing device, means for alternatively locking the headsupporting means and the actuating means forlhe pressure producingdevice, means for automaticallyactuating the locking means upon movementof the head into operative position to unlock the A actuating means forthe pressure producing device, means connecting the locking means to themeans .for actuating the pressure producing device 'for unlocking thehead supporting means, and means 'f eifective upon unlocking the headsupporting means to return the head to inoperative position. c

HERBERT C. BOWEN.

